Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Bruce Arians will interview with the Chicago Bears for their open head coaching job. The Chargers might be interested in him, too. / AJ Mast, AP

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Arians told USA TODAY Sports in November that if he never gets the chance to be an NFL head coach after this season, he's "really cool with it," because he proved he can do it by leading the Indianapolis Colts to a playoff berth in Chuck Pagano's absence.

Arians might not have to worry about being overlooked. Next week, he's expected to get a chance to make his case.

The Chicago Bears have requested permission from the Colts to interview Arians, according to a person informed of the communication between the teams.

The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because neither the Colts nor the Bears have confirmed the request, said the San Diego Chargers are also a likely suitor for Arians. The person said Arians believed he'd be a candidate with the Kansas City Chiefs, though former Eagles head coach Andy Reid is on the verge of being hired there.

Arians cannot interview this week, per league rules, because he and the Colts are preparing for Sunday's playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. He can interview after that game.

The fact Arians, 60, is even in this situation is amazing because last January, after the Pittsburgh Steelers were knocked out of the playoffs, his contract was not renewed and he made the decision to retire.

That is, until Pagano called him to see if he really had hung up his whistle. Arians, an offensive coordinator with the Steelers and Cleveland Browns and a former head coach at Temple from 1983-88, accepted the job as Indy's offensive coordinator.

Arians went 9-3 during Pagano's leave of absence to get treatment for leukemia and helped Andrew Luck to a solid rookie season. Now, he's a hot candidate for jobs he thought he'd never get a crack to win.